US gas prices rise for four consecutive weeks, reaching $4.096/gallon

Average US gasoline prices have just recorded their fourth consecutive week of increases, according to weekly data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, published via FRED. This development is noteworthy beyond the single-week figure itself: the upward trend has persisted since early July 2026, after prices hit their low point for the observation period on 06/7/2026 at $3.777 per gallon. For the Vietnamese community in the United States who regularly drive to work, shuttle children, or operate ride-sharing services, this consecutive price increase means weekly fuel expenses are climbing steadily rather than facing a single shock spike.

Average national gas price (weekly)

As of the latest period on 27/7/2026, average national gas prices reached $4.096 per gallon, an increase of $0.09, or 2.37%, compared to the previous period ($4.001 on 20/7/2026). Looking beyond a single week, however, the distance becomes more apparent: from the low of $3.777 on 06/7/2026 to now, prices have climbed through four consecutive periods of $3.855 (13/7), $4.001 (20/7), and $4.096 (27/7) — a continuous upward chain lasting an entire month.

Compared to the same period last year, the current level of $4.096 is 31.16% higher than the $3.123 recorded on 28/7/2025 — a significant gap showing that fuel price pressure extends beyond just recent weeks. Nevertheless, compared to the average of the last 12 periods ($4.12), current prices remain 0.59% lower, and still fall considerably short of the peak for the observation period of $4.50 (recorded on 11/5/2026). According to historical data spanning 56 periods since 07/7/2025, with a low of $2.78, the current price level sits at the 84th percentile — meaning it is higher than most previous periods, though it is not yet at record highs.

Placed alongside another index that US consumers closely track: according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for June 2026 reached 333.952 points, an increase of 3.53% compared to the same period last year. While gas prices have risen 31.16% compared to last year, the overall rise in consumer prices measured by the CPI is only 3.53% — a substantial gap showing that gasoline is rising much faster than the general price level that the CPI measures. Available data does not indicate the cause of this difference, so this article merely notes the divergence between the two figures without further speculation.

For Vietnamese residents in the United States planning household budgets, the concrete fact to know is: gas prices have increased consecutively for four periods, rising from $3.777 to $4.096 per gallon in just one month, and this level remains significantly higher — 31.16% — compared to the same time last year. These are real, measurable figures for each person to consider when budgeting fuel expenses for the coming weeks.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (FRED) ↗ · Chart and analysis by Saigon Sentinel